Read on to learn more about what the RSRP has been up to!

Through the Southern Maine Climate Action Planning (CAP) Cohort, we’re leading the communities of Biddeford, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Kittery through a collaborative cohort process to develop a unique local climate action plan for each community. Over the past few months, we've been busy collecting baseline information about each community's progress on climate change, conducting greenhouse gas inventories and climate change vulnerability assessments, and developing plans and tools for public engagement. In the new year, we will be starting in on the next phase of the project, developing strategies. With support and guidance from the project team and input from community members, each Task Force will begin to develop the goals and strategies that will go into their community CAP.

The Climate Ready Coast – Southern Maine project has entered a new and exciting phase of work aimed at developing coastal adaptation and climate resilience projects for priority vulnerable areas along the coastline. Thus far, the project has produced a Regional Coastal Vulnerability Assessment and associated web-based mapping decision support tool detailing hazard exposure and risks to human and ecological assets in the region.



The most recent project workshop, held in October at the Wells Reserve, brought together stakeholders from across the study area to collectively identify priority sites for coastal adaptation. Workshop participants utilized the assessment results paired with their local knowledge and expertise to identify 15 priority sites of high vulnerability. Notably, those sites are representative of common issues and conditions of other vulnerable coastal areas, which will ultimately support transferability of adaptation strategies developed during the next project phase.

We are aiming to get all 6 communities enrolled this winter, so they can submit applications for the next round of Community Action Grants.

On December 1^st the Community Resilience Partnership announced awards for the most recent round of Community Action Grants (CAGs). Funding was awarded to 54 communities, totaling nearly $2.5 million. Congratulations to Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, who received a grant for Catalyzing Youth & Community in Mitigation and Adaptation to Sea-Level Rise Impact in the Kennebunks!

Additionally, the City of Sanford and Town of Waterboro have partnered with the York County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Town of Lovell has partnered with the Center for an Ecology-based Economy to enroll in the Community Resilience Partnership. We look forward to learning more about climate action priorities in these communities as they move along in the process!

• The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Webinar Series is hosted by the Maine Municipal Association and the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future to provide information about funding opportunities for local Maine communities. Upcoming webinars:
• Thurs Jan 5, 1:00-2:00 PM, Transportation
• Thurs Jan 26, 1:00-2:00 PM, Broadband & Technology

• The Building Stronger Communities Learning Series is designed for communities enrolled or interested in enrolling in the Community Resilience Partnership. Upcoming webinars and workshops:
• Thurs Dec 29, 12:00-1:30 PM, Climate Change: From Understanding to Action, virtual only
• Tues Jan 10, 10:00-11:00 AM, Funding Projects Into the Future, virtual and in-person
• Tues Jan 31, 10:00-11:00 AM, $125,000 Community Action Grants for Regional Projects, virtual and in-person

• The State has launched a new website, maine.gov/bil, to help communities navigate the federal programs available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that are applicable to Maine. Remember that communities who are enrolled in the Community Resilience Partnership can get assistance from our Regional Coordinators to research and apply for these federal grants!

• Energy prices are expected to remain high this winter due to continued world market volatility stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Governor's Energy Office 2022-2023 Winter Heating Guide contains resources to help Maine people stay warm this winter and find heating assistance if needed.

• NEEFC Workshop: Sea Level Rise & Coastal Flooding with Maine Geological Survey. As part of the Community Resilience Pilot project, Marine Geologist Pete Slovinsky shares available tools and resources to understand the current and future effects of sea level rise and flooding in coastal Maine, how small coastal towns can interpret and use this information, as well as its limitations and decision making with uncertain information.